Centene Corp vs Macy's Inc — how do they compare? Centene Corp trades at $66.8 (market cap $33.93B), while Macy's Inc trades at $23.24 (market cap $6.11B). The key difference: Centene Corp is far larger — about 5.6× Macy's Inc's market cap, and Macy's Inc pays a 3.3% dividend while Centene Corp pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNC | M | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $33.93B | $6.11B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $68.72 | $25.96 |
52-Week Low | $25.21 | $11.90 |
Enterprise Value | $26.56B | $9.92B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.3% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Centene Corporation (CNC) trades at $68.29, up 1.4% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving average signals. The stock shows impressive 66% YTD gains, supported by recent contract renewals and margin recovery initiatives. Despite negative 2025 net income of -$6.67B, valuation metrics remain attractive with P/E of 8.06 and P/S of 0.17. Analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 61% buy ratings and $66.07 price target.
Centene presents a compelling value opportunity with low valuation multiples and strong operational cash flow of $5.09B. Key risks include ongoing margin pressure and Medicaid contract dependency. The company's AI-driven cost controls and recent Illinois Medicaid renewal provide catalysts for earnings recovery, though healthcare regulatory changes remain a concern for long-term stability.
Macy's (M) trades at $22.78, up 0.62% on the day, with a neutral technical signal. The stock shows attractive valuation metrics, including a P/E of 9.41 and P/S of 0.28, alongside improving cash flow and a recent earnings beat streak. The 'Bold New Chapter' strategy is driving operational improvements, with Berkshire Hathaway's new stake in Q1 2026 signaling institutional confidence.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, supported by low valuation and strategic initiatives, but risks include margin pressure from retail sector headwinds and execution challenges in the turnaround plan. Analyst consensus is mixed, with a $24.83 price target suggesting modest upside potential from current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Centene is a managed-care organization focused on government-sponsored healthcare plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the individual exchanges. Centene served 22 million medical members as of September 2021, mostly in Medicaid (68% of membership), the individual exchanges (10%), Medicare Advantage (6%), and the balance in Tricare (West region), correctional facility, and international plans. The company also serves 4 million users through the Medicare Part D pharmaceutical program.
Read more on CNC →Founded in 1858 and based in New York City, Macy's operates 570 stores under the Macy's nameplate, 58 stores under the Bloomingdale's nameplate, and 160 freestanding Bluemercury specialty beauty stores (as of the end of fiscal-year 2021). Macy's also operates e-commerce sites and licenses two Bloomingdale's stores in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Women's apparel, accessories, shoes, cosmetics, and fragrances comprised 59% of Macy's 2021 sales.
Read more on M →